Studying engineering is tough! It demands the ability to think critically and creatively, to anticipate challenges, and to analyze scenarios that aren’t immediately obvious. So, I tip my hat to those who have completed an engineering degree or course—engineering is not for the faint of heart.

But does completing an engineering degree truly make someone an engineer? In my view, a professional engineer is someone who solves the complex problems that come their way. Many people hold titles with the word "engineer" in them after earning their degrees, but their roles don’t always require them to solve problems or find innovative solutions. Someone in a position where they don't need to use their brain deeply to overcome challenges may be an engineer by qualification, but not necessarily in practice—at least, that's how I see it. In most cases, engineers in these roles didn’t actively choose them; they ended up there by chance, for better or worse, depending on one’s perspective.

For those in roles that demand deep thinking and full use of their mental capacity, what is the most important skill to have in order to be effective?

From my experience, the most crucial skill for engineers who need to think deeply is the ability to calm their own mind and thoughts. A calm mind is clearer, more focused, and listens to understand rather than simply to respond.

I’ve had the privilege of working with two brilliant engineers, Tim Paulin and Kirston England. Their calmness in approaching problems was remarkable. You could explain an issue to them at length, and they would remain silent, deeply listening, which made you wonder if they were following along. But when they started writing a PLC/SCADA program, their calmness and focus were apparent, and it was this calm demeanor that, in my opinion, made them so brilliant. They had mastered the art of maintaining a calm mind, deep listening, and intense focus.

What’s even more surprising is that neither of them held an engineering degree, yet they were true engineers. They solved complex problems and thought outside the box! In working with various engineers, I’ve found that while many are capable of earning degrees, memorizing information, and passing exams, very few have mastered the art of calming their emotions, focusing deeply, and truly thinking critically. The difference between engineers who can remain calm and those who haven’t mastered this skill is like night and day.